Phoebus (songwriter)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Phoebus
_el. Φοίβος


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Background = non_performing_personnel
Birth_name = Evaggelos - Phoebus Tassopoulos
Born = Birth date and age|1971|1|1|mf=y
Origin = Greece
Genre = Modern Laika, pop, dance, rock
Years_active = 1993–present
Label = Sony Music (1993–1996)
Minos EMI (1997–2000)
Heaven Music (2001–present)

Phoebus ( _el. Φοίβος, born 1 January 1971) sometimes spelled Phivos or Fivos (pronounced "Fee-Vohs"), is a well known songwriter in both Greece and Cyprus. Phoebus is mostly known for his music through Despina Vandi and Katy Garbi, although he has composed albums for many other artists in Greece and Cyprus. A high percentage of the albums he composes receive certification making him one of the most successful Greek songwriters of the 1990s and 2000s.

Biography

Phoebus was born on January 1, 1971 in Athens, Greece. He first got interested in music during his school years where he was a drummer in a rock band. During that time he experimented with the music fads of the time.

Despite getting into Athens Law School, Phoebus did not want to pursue a career in law, and instead focused on his involvement in music and began to compose his first songs.

While studying harmony and music at the Conservatory and taking private tutorials by Demis Roussos, he started writing his first lyrics. His talent was quickly shown, and he signed his first contract with a record label at age 22.

At the start of his second decade in music, Phoebus made amazing record accomplishments. By that time, he had composed over 18 gold LP's and cd singles, 19 platinum, 8 albums that are two times platinum, 3 albums that are 3 times Platinum; Evaisthisies, Arhizo Polemo and Profities, 2 four times platinum; Gia (album) and To Kati and 1 six times platinum cd-single; Ypofero, selling more than 4,000,000 units. This in turn gave him his name in Greek music history.

During his career, Phoebus has shown the ability in mixing popular music trends with different ideas as well as bringing new artists into the spotlight with his music. Apart from writing and composing, Phoebus, almost exclusively, programs, orchestrates and produces his albums. His producing abilities have broken new ground while he has gone on to sign the highest contracts with all of the record labels he has worked with; starting off with Sony Music, moving on to MINOS-EMI and finally signing on to Heaven Music.

In the summer of 2001, Phoebus’ career passed a significant milestone as he gained international recognition. Along with Despina Vandi, he received the award for the best selling album of the year in Greece for the CD single ‘Ipofero’ (I’m suffering), awarded to him by the director of the Virgin Megastores in London, Sir Richard Branson.

On the March 6, 2002, Phoebus and Despina Vandi, receive another honour. They won the “World’s Best selling Greek Artist 2001’ award (for the sales of the album ‘Gia’) in the World Music Awards.

The greatest global success composed by Phoebus came with the song "Gia" by Despina Vandi. It went multi-platinum in the Greek market, and broke into the international music scene. It was included in the playlists of celebrated DJs and clubs worldwide. "Gia" reaching the No1 spots in the US Billboard Dance Charts and the UK Dance Charts. It was released as a CD single in Europe, the USA, Australia, Turkey and Northern Africa while it has been included in more than 120 compilations, worldwide.

In the spring of 2004, Phoebus teamed up with Coca-Cola to compose the tune that will accompany all of Coca-Cola’s activities in its Olympic Sponsorship agreement. Phoebus composed the song "Come Along Now" with Despina Vandi singing it, and the tune was heard all around the world in Coca-Cola's ads.

In the beginning of 2005 the Greek football team AEK asked Phobus to compose the teams new anthem. This imposing melody is played and sung by the team’s sports fans until today.

2005 and 2006 were again big years for Phoebus. Despina Vandi’s Album "Stin Avli Tou Paradisou", after a huge local success was also released in Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey reaching the 2nd position on the charts. The album was also repackaged for the Greek market entitled "Special Edition" and contained 4 new songs composed by Phoebus. The album sold over 100,000 copies in Greece only. Both albums where used by TIM telecommunications for their campaign throughout the whole year since they had a sponsorship contract with Despina Vandi.

In the summer of 2005 Phoebus and Victoria Halkiti teamed up and release the song "Telia", which once again was used by Coca-Cola's ads, but only in Greece and their Sound Wave campaign. Only a few months later their next single "F...Magic" was hear in all the Attica commercials, one of Athens biggest shopping malls.

After big scores during the 2005 and 2006, together with artists such as Despina Vandi, Elli Kokkinou, Thanos Petrelis, Giorgos Mazonakis and Victoria Halkiti, Phoebus composed the Christmas dance single "Kalanta" along with Despina Vandi. The single was once again used by TIM telecommunications for their 2006 Christmas campaign. After only two weeks from release date Phoebus and Despina achieved a 2X platinum cd single.

This success over the years and particularly with Despina Vandi has put a name out in the Greek Music Industry that Phoebus is the composer to go to for an automatic hit. This can be seen also with Heaven Music asking him to compose a song on Fame Story finalist Maro Lytra's second album, which shot her to the number 1 spot on the radio charts with the song "I Mihani Tou Hronou" (The Time Machine).

Discography

Phoebus has collaborated with the following artists:
*Aggelos Dionysiou
** Fovamai Mi Fygeis (Minos EMI - 1994)**
** Iposyneidito (Minos EMI - 1999)*

*"'Alexandra
** Meli Kai Fotia (Sony Music / RIA - 1995)*

*Angela Dimitriou
** Pes Afto Pou Theleis (Sony Music - 1994)*
** Mi Mas Agapas (Minos EMI - 1996)*
** 100% (Minos EMI - 1998)
** Margarites (Minos EMI - 1999) - CD Single

*Anna Fotiou
** Poias Gynaikas Fili (BMG / Ariola - 1994)*

*Antonis Remos
** Antonis Remos (Sony Music - 1996)*

*Despina Vandi
** Deka Entoles (Minos EMI - 1997)*
** Spania (Minos EMI - 1998) - CD Single
** Profities (Minos EMI - 1999)
** Ypofero (Minos EMI - 2000) - EP
** Geia (Heaven Music - 2001)
** Ante Geia (Heaven Music - 2002) - EP
** Geia Collector's Edition (Heaven Music - 2002) - Includes the album "Geia", the EP "Ante Geia" and some other remixes
** Gia (Heaven Music/Ministry of Sound - 2003) - CD Single
** Gia US Edition (Heaven Music/Escondida Music - 2003)
** Live (Heaven Music - 2003)
** Come Along Now (Heaven Music - Version 1 - 2004) - CD Single ft. the theme of Coca Cola 2004 campaign
** Come Along Now (Heaven Music - Version 2 - 2004) - CD Single ft. the theme of Coca Cola 2004 campaign
** Opa Opa (Heaven Music/Ministry of Sound - 2004)*** - CD Single
** Come Along Now (Heaven Music/Ministry of Sound - 2004) - Worldwide Album
** Stin Avli Tou Paradeisou (Heaven Music - 2004)
** Special Edition (Heaven Music - 2005) - Repackaged Edition of the album "Stin Avli Tou Paradeisou"
** Kalanta (Heaven Music - 2006) - EP
** 10 Hronia Mazi (Heaven Music - 2007)
** 10 Hronia Mazi - It's Destiny (Heaven Music - 2008) - Repackaged Edition of the album "10 Hronia Mazi", including the song "Destiny" with Schiller. Almost all the remixes of the original version are removed.

*Dimitris Kokotas
** Diadoseis (Eros Music - 1994)
** Syneidisi (Eros Music - 1995)
** Dance Mixes (Eros Music - 1997)
** Aharistia (Eros Music - 1997)
** The Best Of (Eros Music - 1999)
** The Remixes (Eros Music - 2000)

*Dionysis Shoinas
** Proti Agapi (Sony Music - 1994)*
** An M' Agapas (Sony Music - 1995)* - CD Single
** S'Agapo (Sony Music - 1995)*
** Mou Tairiazeis (Sony Music - 2000) - EP

*Efi Sarri
** Petao (Minos EMI - 1994)

*Eleni Dimou
** I Eleni Ton Feggarion (Sony Music - 1994)*

*Giannis Parios
** Typseis (Minos EMI - 1997)

*Giorgos Daskoulidis
** Harise Mou Ena Lepto (Sony Music / RIA - 1993)*

*Giorgos Gerolymatos
** Fotia Mou Magissa (Sony Music - 1993)*

*Giorgos Lempesis
** Eksartisi (Minos EMI - 1999)
** I Agapi Vlaptei Sovara Tin Ygeia (Heaven Music - 2001)
** Eliksirio (Heaven Music - 2002)* - CD Single
** I Mera I Kali (Heaven Music - 2003)*

*Giorgos Mazonakis
** Koita Me + Beat (Heaven Music - 2002)* - Repackaged edition of the album "Koita Me", featuring two new songs by Phoebus and some new remixes
** Savvato (Heaven Music - 2003)
** Savvato + To Gucci Ton Masai (Heaven Music - 2004)
** Summer In Greece! (Heaven Music - 2006) - CD Single
** S' Eho Epithymisei (Heaven Music - 2007) - CD Single
** Ta Ohi Kai Ta Nai Mou (Heaven Music - 2007)*

*Jelena Karleusa
** Samo za tvoje oci (For your eyes only) (Heaven Music - 2002)*

*Elli Kokkinou
** Sto Kokkino (Heaven Music - 2003)
** Platinum Edition (Heaven Music - 2004) - Repackaged Edition of the album "Sto Kokkino"
** Sex (Heaven Music - 2005)
** Ki Allo... (Heaven Music - 2006) - Repackaged Edition of the album "Sex"

*Hristina Maragozi
** Aggalia Gemati Agathia (Sony Music - 1996)*

*Katy Garbi
** Os Ton Paradeiso (Sony Music - 1993)*
** Atofio Hrysafi (Sony Music - 1994)*
** Arhizo Polemo (Sony Music - 1996)*
** Evaisthiseis (Sony Music - 1997)
** To Kati (Sony Music - 2000) - Double best of album, including 7 new songs and a new medley remix of two older ones

*Konstantina
** Erhomai (Minos EMI - 1996)*

*Lefteris Pantazis
** Ego Den Eimai Ego (Sony Music - 1993)*

*Manto
** Gia Oles Tis Fores (Sony Music - 1997)*
** Mataia (Sony Music - 1997) - cd single

*Maro Lytra
** I Mihani Tou Hronou (Heaven Music - 2007)*

*Natasa Pantelidi
** Erotas Tha Pei (Sony Music - 1995)*

*Natasa Theodoridou
** Natasa Theodoridou (Sony Music - 1997)*

*Pashalis Terzis
** Mesogeios (Sony Music - 1994)*
** Afise Me Mono (Sony Music - 1995)*
** Afta Einai Ta Tragoudia Mou (Sony Music - 1996)*
** Ta Zeimbekika Tou Pashali (Sony Music - 2001)* - Best of album including the previously unreleased song "An Den Me Thes" written by Phoebus

*"'Petros Kolettis
** Twra Einai H Seira Mou (AM Records - 1994)

*Polina
** Kainourios Erotas (Sony Music - 1994)*
** Deka Hronia Meta (Sony Music - 1995)*

*Sakis Rouvas
** Disco Girl (Minos EMI - 2001) - CD Single
** Disco Girl European Release (Universal Music France - 2002) - CD Single
** Ola Kala (Minos EMI - 2002)*
** Ola Kala European Release (Minos EMI/Universal Music France - 2002)*The above four releases were produced in collaboration with the famous producer Desmond Child

*Stathis Aggelopoulos
** Krypse Me Stin Aggalia Sou (Sony Music - 1994)

*Stella Konitopoulou
** Diavatirio (Sony Music - 1997)*

*Thanos Kalliris
** Kapoio Kalokairi (Sony Music - 1994)*
** Monaxa Tin Psyhi Sou (Sony Music - 1996)*

*Thanos Petrelis
** Eixe To Hroma T' Ouranou (Heaven Music - 2004)*
** Thymizeis Kati Apo Ellada (Heaven Music - 2005)
** Eftyhos (Heaven Music - 2006) - CD Single
** Eimai Akomi Eleftheros (Heaven Music - 2007)
** Eimai Akomi Eleftheros (Special Edition) (Heaven Music - 2007)
** Ksypna Thanasi (Heaven Music - 2008) - Cd Single

*Tolis Voskopoulos
** I Sosti Apantisi (Heaven Music - 2002)
** The Greek Experience (Heaven Music - 2004)* - Compilation album with the duets "Mia Gynaika Ftaiei" with Vasilis Karras and "Evflekta Ilika" with Despina Vandi.

*Vasilis Karras
** Tilefonise Mou (Minos EMI - 1996)
** Fainomeno (Minos EMI - 1998) - CD Single
** Epistrefo (Minos EMI - 1999)
** The Greek Experience (Heaven Music - 2004)* - Compilation album with the new duet "Mia Gynaika Ftaiei" with Tolis Voskopoulos

*Vicky Haritou
** Styl (BMG / Ariola - 1993)

*Victoria Halkiti
** Teleia (Heaven Music - 2005) - CD Single ft. the theme of Coca Cola 2005 campaign
** Teleia f***ing edition (Heaven Music - 2006) - CD Single - Repackaged Edition of the cd single "Teleia"

*Other

** In 1994, a compilation of songs written by Phoebus(music & lyrics) and Eleni Giannatsoulia (some lyrics) was released by Sony Music. The title of the record was "Gia Sena Kai Gia Mena" and featured songs by a lot of Greek singers: Sofia Arvaniti, Keti Garbi, Thanos Kalliris, Dionysis Sxoinas, Pashalis Terzis, Pwlina, Natassa Pantelidi, Ntinos Vrettos, Petros Kolettis and Lorna.

** In 1997, the single "Love Will Make A Difference" was released by Sony Music. The song featured Ronny Money.

** In 1999, a different version of the song "Margarites" (originally performed by Angela Dimitriou) was released by Sony Music. The song was called "Makapy" and was performed by Santiago. In the same year, a compilation of some songs performed by Angela Dimitriou were released in Arabic countries, due to the huge success of the song "Margarites". The album included songs composed by Phoebus and Giorgos Theofanous, another famous composer from Cyprus.

** In 2001, Phoebus and Heaven Music released the cd single "BB Project" which was the official soundtrack of the Greek Big Brother TV show of Ant1 Television. Next year, Phoebus composed the song of the Greek Star Academy show, Fame Story. The song's title was "You can be a star". Phoebus used the nickname "Jason Jazzmind" in both projects, instead of his original name.

** In 2002, a compilation of older 4 songs & 5 new written by Phoebus was released by Heaven Music. The songs were performed by most pupular Serbian pop singer Jelena Karleusa.

** In 2004, Coca Cola released the cd single "Coca Cola", including the instrumental song "Paralos", written exclusively by Phoebus for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games campaign. The song is also included in the cd single "Come Along Now" of Despina Vandi.

** In 2005, Phoebus composed the anthem of the Greek soccer team AEK. The song was called "Mia Agapi Exw Stin Kardia" and was performed by Giorgos Florakis. Released by Heaven Music.

Notes:

(*) Phoebus composed only some tracks and not the whole album.

(**) In 1994, Phoebus composed the song "Pes Mou Ti Sou Kanei" for the album "Fovamai Mi Fygeis" of Aggelos Dionysiou. According to the album's credits, the composer of the song seems to be Mirtw Nikolopoulou. In fact, the real composer is Phoebus.

(***) The song Opa Opa was composed by Giorgos Alkaios and not by Phoebus. This song was originally performed by a very famous Greek singer, Notis Sfakianakis in 1992. In 1999, a second, more beat version of Opa Opa was performed by the group Antique, which gave a rebirth to the song. The Despina Vandi version is the final one and features English lyrics for the first time. Although Phoebus is not the composer of the song, he was involved in the arrangements and the whole production. Opa Opa became a huge international hit.

Trivia

* Apart from composing music and writing lyrics, Phoebus also is an arranger, programmer and producer, producing most of the records he composes.

*In all records that Phoebus is involved in, he is referred only by his first name. The only records that his surname has been written in the album's credits are "Styl" (Vicky Haritou), "Diadoseis" (Dimitris Kokotas), "Ego Den Eimai Ego" (Lefteris Pantazis) and "Fotia Mou Magissa" (Giorgos Gerolymatos).

* The first complete album that Phoebus composed is "Styl" (Vicky Haritou).

* The first album in which Phoebus appears as the producer is "Syneidisi" (Dimitris Kokotas).

* Phoebus has collaborated also with some other artists who have appeared in duets of songs he writes for other artists. These are: Giorgos Alkaios (duet with Vicky Haritou in the album "Styl" (1993)), Antonis Vardis (duet with Keti Garbi in the album "Evaisthiseis" (1997), Nino (duet with Elli Kokkinou in the album "Sto Kokkino" (2003), Bo (rap appearance in the cd-single "Come Along Now" of Despina Vandi) and Giorgos Tsalikis (duet with Elli Kokkinou in the album "Sto Kokkino Platinum Edition" (2004).

* Phoebus rejects almost all the interviews that he is offered to take. In the past, though, he has accepted an interview for the Greek magazine "Eikones" of the Ethnos newspaper, together with Despina Vandi (2002) and a TV interview with Anna Drouza and Mega Channel in 2000 in honour of Katy Garbi and her multiplatinum album To Kati.

* Lyrics for the songs composed by Phoebus have been written by (apart from himself): Eleni Giannatsoulia, Eui Droutsa, Natalia Germanou, Giannis Parios, Giannis Rentoumis, Giannis Doksas, Manos Eleutheriou, Hro Trigoni, Vaggelis Konstantinidis, Panos Falaras, Tasoula Thomaidou, Nikos Vourliotis, Vivi Vlachou, Andreas Carlsson, Marina Tucakovic, Victoria Halkiti, Haris and Markella Panagiotou.

* The "Come Along Now" cd single of Despina Vandi features Phoebus in the cover, next to Despina Vandi. Also Phoebus participates in the song's video clip.

* In 1999, Phoebus married Amalia Kantere.

* In 2004, Phoebus was a torch bearer of the Athens 2004 Olympic Flame in the Greek island of Kefalonia.

* In 2007, Phoebus an Despina Vandi celebrated their 10-year co-operation with a special 3-disk new album, entitled "10 Hronia Mazi". Phoebus appears also in the album's cover and in the first single's video clip, "Thelo".

External links

* [http://www.phoebusmusic.com/ Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/phoebusmusic1 Official MySpace]
* [http://www.despina-phoebus.gr/ Despina & Phoebus]
* [http://www.heavenmusic.gr/ Heaven Music]
* [http://www.vips24.gr/articleDetail/0,2582,56291,00.html/ Vips 24]
* [http://www.despinavandi.gr Despina Vandi Official Site]
* [http://www.despinavandi.info Despina Vandi Club]
* [http://www.marolitra.net/ Maro Litra]
* [http://www.mazonakis.net George Mazonakis]